Is landlord responsible for mold removal in rental closet?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law, the landlord is typically responsible for structural repairs and issues arising from the building's infrastructure, which includes fixing leaks in walls or faulty AC systems that lead to condensation and mold. Since this appeared after a period of high humidity and is on an interior wall, the source is likely a hidden pipe leak or condensation from the AC system—both are the landlord's responsibility to investigate and fix.

As a tenant, your responsibility is to report the issue in writing to the landlord or property management immediately. Do not attempt to simply paint over or bleach it, as this will not address the moisture source and the mold will return. Document the growth and the musty smell with photos and dated emails to create a formal record of your notification.

For a case of spreading mold with a persistent damp smell, a professional inspection is recommended to identify the exact moisture source. The remediation process itself often involves isolating the area, removing contaminated materials, and addressing the humidity problem—all of which should be handled by the landlord's appointed contractors to ensure it is resolved correctly and doesn't recur.